SEPTEMBER. 215 



a white kind, with a pale purple eye. Ditto to Antirrhinum Con- 

 stance, from the same raiser, a kind having a pure white tube and 

 crimson lips, the throat inside being pale yellow. 



Aug. 4. — First-class certificates to Verbena Incomparable, from 

 Mr. Bragg, pips delicate lavender, with a small greenish yellow eye. 

 To Mr. Smith, for Verbena Islington Rival, a bright rosy scarlet 

 variety. To Messrs. Paul, for Hollyhock Glory, a very long spiked 

 sort, with rosy flowers, having a smooth guard-petal and well-filled 

 compact centre. Label of commendation to Carnation Phaeton, from 

 Mr. Headley, of Stapleford, Cambridge ; it is a bright scarlet flake 

 of good colour and marking. 



HINTS FOR THE MONTH. 



Auriculas. These will have drawn root since their repotting. 

 Keep the frames open as much as possible, and give plenty of air at 

 the sides during bad weather. The plants should be kept growing 

 by watering when required ; the soil should not be allowed to get 

 green on the surface ; to be kept clear of green-fly and dead foliage. 

 If any start for bloom, pinch off the buds only, when above the 

 fcliage. 



Calceolarias. Repot seedlings, and pay the greatest attention 

 to both young and old plants, to keep them clean of aphides. 



Cinerarias. The first- struck plants will now require a shift, using 

 moderately rich soil. Continue to pot off those that are struck in 

 stores as they are ready, and put in cuttings of choice kinds that it 

 is desirable to increase largely, as well as for late bloom. Seed may 

 still be sown for the same purpose. 



Carnations and Picotees. Prepare soil for potting off for winter- 

 ing, which should be done the end of the month. If the stock has 

 been layered early and are now rooted, they may be taken off and 

 planted in raised beds, similar to Pinks, but so arranged that pit or 

 frame-lights may be placed over them in case of excessive wet ; or 

 by raising the bottom of the pit they are usually wintered in, and 

 placing a sufficient depth of fine good soil to plant them in, will 

 answer exceedingly well. They may be allowed to grow here till the 

 end of October, when they should be carefully removed into 60 pots, 

 one plant in a pot of the finest plants, the remainder in pairs. This 

 plan should not be adopted unless they are fit to remove early from 

 the stools. 



Dahlias. The plants generally will have done their work. Pro- 

 tecting the blooms for exhibition if grown for show, or enjoying 

 their gay colours and noble form, if cultivated for decorative pur- 

 poses only, will be the principal work of the month. In shading 

 for exhibition, avoid doing so more than five or six days before the 

 show. It spoils the richness of the colour, and also causes many 



